Stay Paid Podcast Summary

Title: Growing on Instagram Without Posting Daily, Fixing Boring Listings & Why Documenting is Dead
Host/Authors: Luke Acree and Josh Dyke
Guest: Eric Simon (“The Broke Agent”)
Release Date: July 21, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of the Stay Paid Podcast, hosts Luke Acree and Josh Dyke welcome back a special guest, Eric Simon, famously known as “The Broke Agent” on Instagram. Together, they delve into effective strategies for growing a business in real estate through social media, podcasting, and optimized content creation.

Guest Introduction

• Josh Dyke introduces Eric Simon, highlighting his transition from a real estate agent to a renowned content creator and his role in launching BAM—a premier real estate news and education site.

• Eric Simon shares his enthusiasm for returning to the podcast, remarking, “This is my favorite podcast that I've ever been on...” (00:56).

Caller Segment: Courtney King from Montana

Caller Profile:
Courtney King, a real estate agent, co-hosts the podcast Prosperity Playbook alongside a lender, insurance agent, and attorney.

Question:
“How do I grow that podcast audience?”

Discussion Highlights:

• Challenges of Podcast Growth:
  Eric Simon begins with a candid acknowledgment of the difficulties in growing a podcast, stating, “Growing a podcast is very difficult and takes an enormous amount of time” (03:20).

• Strategic Content Planning:
  He emphasizes the importance of planning the podcast’s title and thumbnail before recording to streamline the editing process and enhance clickability. “When you frame up the title and the thumbnail beforehand, you're giving yourself that framework to actually have a better episode” (03:27).

• Leveraging Short-Form Content:
  Eric advocates for creating short clips from podcast episodes to boost visibility. “Most people now are consuming the short form content even more than the podcast itself” (04:59).

• Cross-Marketing with Guests:
  Luke Acree adds, “Your audience grows the largest when you interview other people with audiences,” encouraging cross-promotion through guest networks (06:10).

• Benchmark for Success:
  Citing Matt Holleran, Eric notes that a successful podcast can reach listenership levels comparable to the host’s database. “If your listener, like your viewership or listeners, reaches about the level of your sphere database, you're doing really well” (07:03).

Notable Quotes:

• Eric Simon: “The more views you're going to get are going to be from your social channels that are already in existence, as opposed to just trying to grow the podcast audience organically” (09:45).

• Luke Acree: “Think about the relationships we're building with the guest that we bring on” (07:35).

Caller Segment: Julia from Maine

Caller Profile:
Julia, a real estate agent with 1,800 Instagram followers, seeks to tap into social media for lead generation beyond her primary source of sphere referrals.

Question:
“What’s the difference between posting top of mind or top of feed and what’s better for your growth?”

Discussion Highlights:

• Quality Over Quantity:
  Eric Simon explains that Instagram’s algorithm now prioritizes content quality over mere presence in the feed. “Your following is not nearly as important as it was... It's way more about the content” (14:36).

• Hyperlocal Content Strategy:
  He advises focusing on hyperlocal content—breaking news, community events, and local developments in Southern Maine. “Think hyperlocal as much as humanly possible” (24:05).

• Engagement Techniques:
  Strategies include engaging with followers through meaningful comments and responding to DMs to boost algorithmic favor. “Spending 15 to 30 minutes a day being social on social” (26:02).

• Content Variety:
  Julia learns the importance of diversifying content formats to keep the audience engaged. “If you're posting the same type of content every single time, you should stop doing that” (33:31).

Notable Quotes:

• Eric Simon: “It's really effective to focus on how do I go viral in my local market?” (17:24).

• Julia: “I posted some of that and that got so much engagement... people started following me” (28:21).

Caller Segment: Melody from Florida

Caller Profile:
Melody, a seasoned realtor with 22 years of experience and an annual Gross Commission Income (GCI) of around $4-5 million, aims to streamline her daily activities to achieve her goal of retirement in five years.

Question:
“How do I stay consistent through your creative process when you don't really even like social media?”

Discussion Highlights:

• Content Batching and Planning:
  Eric Simon recommends bulk recording content and scripting to alleviate daily creation pressures. “Pick a day... and you actually plan out your content right there” (38:55).

• Utilizing AI Tools:
  Incorporating AI-generated video content to create realistic and engaging property visuals efficiently. “Generate me a video of a home in Southern Maine” (32:40).

• Structured Daily Routine:
  Luke Acree shares insights into a successful realtor's daily schedule, emphasizing morning routines, market analysis, and consistent prospecting. “We spend majority of 150 calls can take anywhere from two hours to three hours” (46:17).

• Goal Setting and Accountability:
  Establishing clear financial and operational goals to drive daily actions. “Write a letter to yourself of where you want to be” (53:16).

Notable Quotes:

• Eric Simon: “You need to think about the quality of your content... how do I create better content?” (54:14).

• Luke Acree: “If you heard something that you know you need to do, you should be doing, but you're not doing it, you need to do it” (56:18).

Key Topics and Insights

1. Podcasts as a Growth Tool:

   • Strategic Planning: Pre-planning titles and thumbnails enhances episode focus and SEO.
   • Short-Form Content Synergy: Extracting clips boosts visibility and attracts listeners.

2. Instagram Growth Without Daily Posting:

   • Algorithm Focus Shift: Emphasis on individual content quality over follower count.
   • Hyperlocal Engagement: Targeting local news and events to resonate with the community.
   • Interactive Engagement: Meaningful comments and DM interactions enhance visibility.

3. Effective Content Creation vs. Documenting:

   • Quality Over Quantity: Prioritize valuable, entertaining, and educational content.
   • Content Variety: Utilize multiple formats (Reels, carousels, standard posts) to maintain audience interest.
   • AI Integration: Leverage AI tools for efficient and visually appealing content production.

4. Real Estate Business Building:

   • Structured Routines: Establish morning routines that include exercise, education, and prospecting.
   • Batching Tasks: Plan and create content in batches to ensure consistency despite daily unpredictabilities.
   • Goal-Oriented Actions: Clearly define financial targets and daily tasks to stay motivated and on track.

Conclusions and Takeaways

• Focus on Content Quality: High-quality, engaging content trumps sheer posting frequency or follower count on platforms like Instagram.

• Leverage Existing Networks: Utilize guests’ audiences and cross-promote to expand reach efficiently.

• Diversify Content Formats: Keeping the content varied prevents audience fatigue and fosters sustained engagement.

• Strategic Planning is Crucial: Pre-planning and batching content can save time and ensure consistent quality, essential for long-term growth.

• Routine and Discipline Drive Success: Establishing consistent daily routines and clear goals can significantly enhance productivity and business growth.

Notable Quotes

• Eric Simon (14:36):
  “Your following is not nearly as important as it was a year ago... It’s way more about the content.”

• Luke Acree (35:57):
  “Top producers take action. So if you heard something that you know you need to do, you should be doing, but you're not doing it, you need to do it.”

• Josh Dyke (33:31):
  “Do it again. You got to do more of what's working.”

Final Thoughts

This episode provides actionable strategies for real estate professionals aiming to leverage social media and content creation without the pressure of daily posting. By focusing on quality, engaging locally, and maintaining disciplined routines, agents can effectively grow their businesses and achieve their long-term goals.

Stay Paid Podcast continues to be a valuable resource for agents and entrepreneurs seeking to master business trends, digital marketing, and relationship-building tactics to unlock growth and create a life of freedom.

For more insights and detailed strategies, listeners are encouraged to visit remindermedia.com/ask to submit their questions and follow Stay Paid Podcast on Instagram and YouTube.